7-Eleven Debuts New Sustainable Coffee

Kenya Single Estate Grown variety features hand-picked beans from farms around Mount Kenya By Brett Dworski on Feb. 21, 2020

7-Eleven has added the Kenya Single Estate Grown coffee variety to its Seven Reserve sustainable java portfolio. The new flavor is available in participating 7-Eleven stores while supplies last.

The coffee is made with Rainforest Alliance-certified beans that are cultivated on the Sasini Estates, six independent family farms that have operated for generations in the foothills of Mount Kenya north of Nairobi. Hand-picked, wet-pulped and naturally fermented before being sun-dried on raised screen beds, the Kenyan Arabica beans are finished with a medium roast to enhance the flavor that has citrus notes and a subtle floral aroma.

“For each of our Seven Reserve coffees, we search the world for interesting and unique varietals that we think coffee lovers will seek out and appreciate,” said Michelle Cram, senior category manager of hot beverages for 7-Eleven. “Kenyan coffee is a particular favorite of mine, and this one is brewed from beans with an heirloom heritage that give it an especially rich taste. For a full flavor experience, pair a cup with our freshly made delicious apple fritter, with real apples and cinnamon.”

7-Eleven introduced the Seven Reserve coffee line in March 2018 with its Africa Blend, a 50-50 blend of 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified Arabica beans from Ethiopia and Rwanda. The company also offers coffees from Nicaragua, Mexico, Peru, Sumatra and Colombia. Single-origin, 100% Colombian Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee is now a permanent offering and top seller on the hot beverage bar, it said.

Responsible sourcing of coffee and coffee packaging rolls up into 7-Eleven’s corporate social responsibility goals. The retailer is working toward a 20% reduction in its energy and packaging footprint by 2025.

Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 66,000 stores in 17 countries, including about 9,200 in the United States. The chain is No. 1 on the Top 40 update to CSP’s 2019 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by number of retail outlets.

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